Types of Hormones

Follicle Stimulating Hormone

Targets: ovaries and testes

Function: initiates growth of follicles and stimulates and sustains spermatogenesis

Luteinising Hormone

Target: ovaries and testes

Function: initiates corpus luteum and aids in ovulation, stimulates the release of steroids in females and testosterone in males

Human Growth Hormone

Target: muscles, liver and bones

Function: aids in building muscles and bones by increasing protein synthesis

Prolactin

Target: mammary glands

Function: initiates and maintains milk production, initiates growth of mammary glands in breast tissue

Adrenocorticotropic

Target: adrenal cortex

Function: stimulates release of hormones from adrenal cortex (cortisol and androgen)

Thyroid Stimulating Hormone

Target: thyroid gland

Function: stimulates release of thyroxine

Antidiruetic Hormone

Target: tubules in nephron

Function: increases water absorption in the tubules

Oxytocin

Targets: breast and uterus

Function: aids in uterine contraction during labour, stimulates let down action of milk, releasing milk

Testosterone

Target: all cells

Function: develops secondary sex characteristic, enhances sex drive, muscle and bone mass

Oestrogen

Target: all cells

Function: develops secondary sex characteristics, regulates menstrual cycle

Progesterone

Targets: Uterus

Function: thickens endometrium lining

Melatonin

Target: all cells/brain

Function: Regulates wake/sleep cycle, produced in high amounts during the night

Thymosin

Target: Lymphocytes

Function: Stimulate production of Helper T-cells

Thyroxine

Targets: All body cells

Function: maintains basal metabolic rate, speeds up/slows down many chemical reactions and body processes

Calcintonin

Targets: Kidneys and Bones

Function: Lowers calcium levels in blood by blocking breakdown of bone and decreases reabsorption by kidneys

Parathyroid Hormone

Targets: Small intestine, bones, kidney

Function: increases calcium levels in blood by increasing breakdown of bone, increase reabsorption by kidneys, increased absorption by small intestine

Insulin

Targets: All cells

Function: Decreases blood sugar levels

Glucagon

Targets: All cells

Function: Increases blood glucose levels

Epinephrine (adrenaline)

Targets: all cells

Function: respond to danger, increase cardiac output and blood glucose levels

Noraepinephrine (noradrenaline)

Targets: all cells

Function: Increase alertness, attention and arousal, constricts blood vessels to regulate blood pressure, affects the wake-sleep cycle

Aldosterone

Targets: colon and kidneys

Function: Regulates blood pressure by signalling colon and kidneys to increase retention of sodium and potassium

Cortisol

Targets: all cells

Function: released in response to stress, regulates metabolism, blood pressure, blood sugar, supresses inflammation